Who has an auto?

[AuburnGator]

I ended up getting an auto gearbox Mini from Japan as a compromise with my wife when I convinced her that importing a Classic Mini was a good idea. She said she was not going to learn to shift with her left hand.

I know that they are rare here in the States, but how rare?

If anyone else out there has an automatic in their Classic Mini, post a pic here.

[MiniDave]

In Restoration Mini-land, I don't think anyone has an auto.

I've worked on a few of them over the years, but not for quite a while. did you find someone to fix it for you?

Do the mirrors on the fenders work for you? I drove one that had them there and couldn't see squat out of them!

[Willie_B]

Another thing for your "To Do" list on the car, swap the headlights for LHD ones.

[MiniDave]

Oh, good point!

If you're going to drive at night you'll probably want to upgrade to at least halogens.....

[MPlayle]

And to keep your newly repaired automatic in its best shape, change your oil about every 2000 miles if driving it often or every three to four months if not driving often.

The automatics in classic Minis need frequent oil changes to stay working correctly.  Going too long and you will be needing repairs again.  Waiting the old 6months/6000 miles is too long.

[MiniDave]

The classic Mini is the one car I adhere to the 3000 mile rule on oil changes.

[AuburnGator]

I appreciate all the advise. I was fortunate to find a forum devoted to Classic Mini's with the auto gearbox. it is:

http://autominiregister.proboards.com/

I found a shop in St Petersburg Florida, about a hundred miles south of me, that has experience with this engine/gearbox set up. His shop specializes in MGs and Austins but they do share this weird auto gearbox/A series engine.

When I first got the car I had hoped that the problems I was having with the gearbox (mostly slow to shift, some noises) was caused by the wrong oil. I did not get any service history (at least none in English). The guys on the auto mini site advised me on how to flush the oil and what to replace it with. Because the engine and gearbox share the same oil, you use a type of motorcycle oil that is designed for wet clutch applications. If you use regular engine oil, It will cause the clutches to slip. I will have it back from the gearbox rebuild in a few weeks and really miss the car. Between November (when I picked it up at the Port in Jax) and July, I put 8,000 kilometers on it.

I still need to change out the lights and want to do a few other upgrades like a Union Jack on the roof and a wood dash. But all in good time.

I am grateful that the Japan versions could come with air-conditioning, or it would be hell in FL in the summer. I did convert it over to R134.

Since I found this forum I have done alot of reading and have all kinds of new ideas on other things I would like to do eventually, but time and fiance will dictate that path.

Thank you to every one who shares on here. Information is the best tool any of us can use to get the most enjoyment out of our Minis.

I also have a digital copy of the 1992 Rover factory shop manual if there is anyone out there who wants a copy. it is 48MB so I will have to transfer through Dropbox, it is too big to email.  PM me if you want it. I would like to give back to the community.

If anyone is thinking of importing from Japan, i would be happy to share my experience. You can find some good deals over there. (At least they look good.)

[Tim]

We have a 70's Clubman in the family with an Auto.  And a number of Auto boxes awaiting future use.  Restoration Mini has a little bit of everything out there...

Tim.